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1.05.2015

Dowsett readying himself for tough Hour Record

Commonwealth Games time trial champion Alex Dowsett knows he is in for a battle as he gears up for his Hour Record attempt this weekend.

The 26-year-old, who upgraded his time trial silver medal from Delhi 2010 to gold in Glasgow, will bid to ride the furthest distance in 60 minutes at Manchester Velodrome on Saturday, with the current record standing at 52.491 kilometres set by Australian Rohan Dennis.

Dowsett first announced his intentions to re-write the record books back in February but had to abandon his attempt after fracturing his collarbone in training.

But now he is back fighting fit Dowsett is all systems go for one of cycling’s most historic events.

“The hour record is the ultimate time-trial," said Dowsett, who has haemophilia and is riding the #perfecthour to raise awareness of the disease.

"It's a case of man and machine: no changing conditions, no wind, no real tactics.

"It's the purest form of a time-trial. There's no tiny respite in the hour record. The pacing is so important - you never get a chance to recover."

Chris Boardman held the Hour Record in the mid-1990s, and although the 1992 Olympic champion expects Dowsett to add his name to that illustrious list, he believes his time at the top could be short lived with Glasgow 2014 teammate Sir Bradley Wiggins going for glory on June 7 in London.

"I think he'll get it, but it could be tough," added Boardman. "He does his homework, he understands the demands of the event, his background is riding against the clock. He's well-qualified in the discipline.

"(But) Brad could, quite feasibly, even with the standard position, push into the 55km."

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